Recovery can be a long, arduous road. It's common for the journey to be full of challenges and unexpected setbacks. The individual may not fully grasp what the road entails until they're already on the path. They may fall victim to temptations, thinking that they'll never see the light or even feel trapped by their wrongdoings and suffer through depression and/or isolation. While recovery isn't easy, it is a worthwhile expedition that is easier to complete with the help of friends and family.
No matter your relationship with the individual—whether you're their partner, parent, friend, or neighbor—there are actions that you can take to help support them through their journey. If you're unsure of what your role is and how you can make a difference, you've come to the right place. Below are tips for how you can best support someone through recovery.
1. Educate Yourself
Before you can jump into helping someone, you need to educate yourself on their specific addiction. Understanding addiction will help you make informed choices in how you want to show up for your loved one. It will also reduce the stigmas that you may have about what they're going through, allowing you to grasp the realities of their situation fully.
While more people are talking about mental health, substance abuse, and alcoholism, society still wants you to believe that these behaviors are personal decisions based on a lack of willpower or resilience. This perception, however, is false. Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are medical conditions influenced by biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Someone who is struggling with a mental illness does not indicate that they are weak or failing in life.
The same goes for someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. In many instances, these individuals were influenced by environmental factors outside of their control. A traumatic event may have led them down the wrong path. Alcoholism and substance use disorder are considered diseases, and can be influenced by genetic and psychological factors in addition to environmental influencers. Through education, you can be a better advocate for your family member or friend, suggesting treatment that is tailored to their unique circumstances.
2. Encourage Professional Help
There is more help than ever before for someone dealing with addiction, which is why nobody should feel like they need to go through recovery alone. It also means that you aren't responsible for helping someone heal. There is a wide range of professional help available, depending on the person's needs, goals, and current circumstances. Even if they insist that it's "no big deal" or they can "handle it on their own," encourage professional help. Delayed treatment can only exacerbate the situation, making it even more challenging for the patient to reach their goals.
Mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, trained addiction counselors, and even social workers, are a good place to start. These specialists are trained in recovery, assuring that the individual will get on the right track and be supported in a way that is beneficial for their needs. It's common for recovery to include many of these specialists, especially during the onset of their journey. A psychiatrist, for instance, can diagnose conditions and prescribe medications, while addiction counselors are licensed professionals who can help develop a treatment plan with coping mechanisms.
A substance abuse rehab program is another option worth considering. Both inpatient and outpatient programs are available to help the individual recover from a holistic perspective. Since the team of professionals works together regularly, you can think of it as a one-stop shop for recovery. The clinicians will know how to handle the situation, bringing in therapists and medical experts for various parts of treatment. These types of comprehensive programs offer focused, distraction-free care, which may decrease the risk of relapses.
3. Stay Involved
Once someone has committed to recovery doesn't mean that your job is done. To fully support their needs, you'll want to stay very involved during the process. Whether the person struggling with addiction is at an inpatient rehabilitation center, seeking one-on-one therapy support, taking medications, or doing something else, consistent encouragement is vital to their recovery. The journey of recovery can feel very lonely and isolating, and a lack of support can contribute to someone steering off course and relapsing.
To avoid this, continuously offer to be there for them. If it's a partner or child, tell them that you can drive them to therapy and wait for them in the parking lot. If it's a friend, call them at the same time every day to check on them. You can regularly invite them to non-triggering activities, such as going on a neighborhood walk or hosting them for a movie night at your house.
In terms of emotional support, be an active listener. Let them know that you're here with them every step of the way. Avoid jumping to conclusions or inserting your own advice. Instead, listen to them attentively when they're opening up and sharing with you. Know that they'll feel very vulnerable during the process, perhaps even feeling shameful or guilty for their actions. Acting as a cheerleader for them can give them the encouragement they need to continue down the difficult path of recovery, no matter how challenging it may be.
